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Issue 97

August 2005

Why We Hate HR

  • In a knowledge economy, companies with the best talent win. And finding, nurturing, and developing that talent should be one of the most important tasks in a corporation. So why does human resources do such a bad job -- and how can we fix it?

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Features

  • The Once Future Consultant

    In 2002, Dave Ulrich left his hugely successful consulting firm to run a Mormon mission in Quebec. Now he's heading back to business with a fresh eye and some fresh ideas.

  • Putting the Human Into Human Resources
  • Rebel Yell

    The motorcycle fanatics at Confederate Motor Co. build high-performance, handmade $62,000 bikes -- fewer than 100 a year. Should Harley worry?

  • Cycle Business
  • Can Google Stay Google?

    It is the company of the nanosecond -- and a really, really rich one at that. But Silicon Valley often eats its own young. So what are Messrs. Brin and Page planning to keep Google thriving for the long haul?

  • So You Want to Work at Google?
  • Protect This House

    Kevin Plank's improbable hit -- a sweat-wicking undershirt -- kicked off the fastest-growing category of sportswear. Now Nike and other megabrands are in hot pursuit of Under Armour. Welcome to the disrupter's dilemma.

  • No Sweat
  • The Art of Work

    What would happen if the best moments of your life happened at the office? That would be "flow," and thanks to a guy with an unpronounceable name, more and more businesses want to know about it.

  • There's No Business Like FLOW Business
  • Fast Talk: Brand Revivers

    The only thing harder than developing a hot brand is turning around a once-popular one. We spoke to five brand stewards going through the process of breathing life into iconic names to see how they're doing it.

  • Sun King
  • How to Smell Good

    Scents and sensibility.

  • Smells Like Brand Spirit

Now

Next

  • In Praise of Ecosystems

    Innovation doesn't occur in a vacuum -- which is why Apple's iPod will eventually be eclipsed by rivals that can cooperate and compete together.

  • Slave Wages

    From a report released June 1 by Wachovia Corp., researched by the History Factory, on transactions of the bank and its predecessor companies related to slavery.

  • If the Shoe Fits...

    Olly Shoes' high-tech approach to shoe fitting is replacing a system that hasn't changed in 80 years. Your kids will love it, too.

  • CEO See-Ya!

    This month: Ralph Hake, CEO of Maytag Corp.

  • Class Acts

    Each spring, corporate America's preeminent chieftains offer sage counsel to eager university graduates across the nation. Here's our Class of 2005.

  • Look! No hands!

    Parrot's Easydrive helps you keep your attention on the road -- while you're on the phone.

  • The Ethics Monitor

    Thinking of swiping that Swingline? You're not the only one, as our latest ethics survey reveals.

  • Label Maker

    The secrets behind a good-looking package.

  • Business Blogging for Beginners

    Creating a business blog is a lot like hosting a cocktail party: You're networking with customers in a low-pressure setting and, at best, nurturing great relationships. How to make your company's blog the talk of the town? We asked experts Elizabeth Albrycht of Blogging Planet and Andy Lark of the Lark Group for the lowdown on blogging style and etiquette.

  • Brand Aids

    The always-slippery topic of branding becomes more so on the Web, where "brand" bloggers typically spill the most ink on, well, blogging. We found three that offer on-target insights.

  • Chinks in the Armor

    Even the most-admired businesses have a few flaws. And they should want to get better, right? So we've helpfully identified "opportunities for improvement," as they say on performance evaluations, at companies otherwise celebrated for great customer experiences. Here's how they're fixing the problems -- or not.

  • Have Desk, Will Travel

    Real leaders go where the action is.

  • Who's Zooming You?

    You're out there. On the Web, there are dozens, perhaps hundreds of references to you -- in company newsletters, college alumni notes, and friends' blogs. (As a tech writer, I'm especially promiscuous: Googling my name turns up 10,700 results.) So how can you monitor and manage your online reputation?

  • A New Social Calculus

    What impact does your company have on the environment? Check your annual report.

  • Datebook

    Critical calendar listings for August 2005.

  • Office Handbook

    When the company's for sale, you might be, too.

  • Invaluable

    You know those corporate values statements? Turns out they have weird correlations to performance.

Next

  • Go Long, Young Man

    A report from the past.

  • Slow Is the New Fast

    With our November issue, Fast Company will celebrate 10 years of publication. Each month until then, we'll review one of our favorite editions from the first decade.

From the Editor

  • Fast Company's New Dawn

    We could not have conjured up a better angel. Fast Company is a magazine about innovation and entrepreneurship. It should be owned by an innovative entrepreneur. Joe is a visionary who founded his mutual-fund ratings and research concern in a one-bedroom apartment with $80,000 in personal savings. He is a five-time Inc. 500 winner, and a Fast Company idealist and maverick.